People's Pharmacy: Too much licorice might spike blood pressure

Published 11:53 pm, Sunday, February 12, 2012

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Joe and Teresa Graedon

Joe and Teresa Graedon

People's Pharmacy: Too much licorice might spike blood pressure

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Q: This has been the scariest week of my life. I suddenly developed very high blood pressure (195/118) and had to go to the emergency department. I'm a student and had bought a ton of black licorice, the really good imported kind. I had been eating it while I studied and didn't realize my blood pressure had begun to rise. When it felt like my heart was going to explode, I decided to check my blood pressure and found it was sky-high! I was put on hypertension medications: first, a beta blocker that did nothing; then an ACE inhibitor (ditto) and a water pill. The diuretic brought my pressure down after several days. Eventually it got my pressure down to 87/63, which is too low. Now my pressure is back to normal without medicine. Today, my blood pressure is fine without medication: 107/70. I'm never eating licorice again.

A: Too much licorice can raise blood pressure and lower potassium levels (Clinical Chemistry, December 2009). Candy flavored with anise rather than real licorice is safe. The imported variety that you were consuming is more likely to contain glycyrrhizin.

Q: My husband was just released from the hospital as a result of taking naproxen for tendinitis. He used it exactly as prescribed, and it still caused more trouble than it was worth. He had severe gastrointestinal bleeding, so bad that he was in ICU for four days. The doctor and nurses said that people who take high doses of this pain reliever often end up with gastrointestinal bleeding. What other options are there for pain and inflammation?

A: Naproxen and other NSAIDs, such as Cele- brex, ibuprofen, diclofenac, meloxicam and nabumetone, are frequently prescribed for inflammatory conditions like tendinitis, bursitis and arthritis. Long-term use of such drugs poses a risk of life-threatening bleeding like your husband experienced. They also can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attacks, heart failure and strokes (Rheumatology International online, Dec. 22, 2011). Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is less likely to cause digestive upset or bleeding, but it may raise blood pressure (Circulation, Nov. 2, 2010) and increase the risk of asthma (Pediatrics, Dec. 2011). High doses can be hard on the liver. Such complications may explain why home remedies are so popular. Fish oil, tart cherries, gin-soaked raisins, grape juice and apple-cider vinegar, vitamin D and pineapple all have their enthusiasts. Our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis provides details on how to use such approaches.